Clinical Practice SWES Practice Exam

A 48-year-old client with chronic alcoholism shows short-term memory loss and confusion. What is the most likely diagnosis?

1. Psychogenic amnesia

2. Alzheimer's disease

3. Korsakoff's syndrome

4. Tardive's dyskinesia

The correct answer is: Korsakoff's syndrome

Korsakoff's syndrome is the most likely diagnosis for a client with chronic alcoholism who is experiencing short-term memory loss and confusion. This condition arises as a result of thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency, which is common in individuals with severe alcohol use due to poor nutritional intake and absorption. The prominent features of Korsakoff's syndrome include significant memory impairments, particularly anterograde amnesia, where individuals struggle to form new memories after the onset of the condition. Additionally, they may experience confabulation, where they fill in memory gaps with fabricated stories, and an overall disorientation in time and place. The confusion and memory issues noted in the scenario align well with the cognitive deficits typically seen in Korsakoff's syndrome. The other potential diagnoses do not fully account for the specific symptoms associated with chronic alcoholism. Psychogenic amnesia generally stems from psychological trauma rather than organic causes like alcohol-induced deficiencies. Alzheimer's disease primarily affects older adults and is characterized by a gradual decline in cognitive functions. Tardive dyskinesia is a movement disorder often associated with long-term use of antipsychotic medications, not alcohol dependency. Thus, the clinical signs presented strongly support Korsakoff's syndrome as the accurate diagnosis in